Coastal and Inland News

On October 28, 2025 U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, convened the Senate hearing “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding”. This hearing examined how to modernize and accelerate U.S. commercial shipbuilding while strengthening a larger maritime industrial base.Senator Sullivan opened with a statement that included: “Our nation faces a critical strategic challenge as foreign competitors…

SFL posts Q3 2025 revenue of $178 million and net income of $8.6 million; declares 87th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share.Contracted charter backlog reaches $4 billion with a weighted average term of 6.5 years, two-thirds backed by investment-grade clients.Fleet optimization and $100 million in vessel efficiency and LNG dual-fuel investments underscore SFL’s long-term sustainability strategy.SFL Corporation Ltd. reported third-quarter 2025 operating revenues of $178 million and net income of $8.6 million…

Konecranes has signed a wide-ranging service agreement with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for the maintenance and optimization of approximately 200 cranes.The service agreement covers smaller units handling just 63 kg to a massive 1,200-tonne Goliath gantry crane.It includes a comprehensive operational maintenance, repair and readiness plan for the different cranes and equipment in the shipyard.Meyer Turku is a cornerstone of Finland’s maritime industry with a legacy spanning nearly 300 years.

Konecranes has signed a wide-ranging service agreement with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for the maintenance and optimization of approximately 200 cranes.The service agreement covers smaller units handling just 63 kg to a massive 1,200-tonne Goliath gantry crane.It includes a comprehensive operational maintenance, repair and readiness plan for the different cranes and equipment in the shipyard.Meyer Turku is a cornerstone of Finland’s maritime industry with a legacy spanning nearly 300 years. A Konecranes customer since building their shipyard in 1976, Meyer Turku has constructed over 1,300 vessels to date including Royal Caribbean International’s massive Icon of the Seas and has some 2…

The Australian Border Force (ABF) led a week of action in Portland last month, targeting criminal infiltration along Victoria's south-west coastline.The high visibility activity forms part of a broader operation to prevent organized crime groups from using the Australian border as a means for illegal activity, including trafficking illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.The week of action also focused on the threat of trusted insiders and involved community engagement to spread awareness of the Border Watch program…

The Australian Border Force (ABF) led a week of action in Portland last month, targeting criminal infiltration along Victoria's south-west coastline.The high visibility activity forms part of a broader operation to prevent organized crime groups from using the Australian border as a means for illegal activity, including trafficking illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.The week of action also focused on the threat of trusted insiders and involved community engagement to spread awareness of the Border Watch program, aimed at deterring and disrupting criminal activity, including exploitation of the global supply chain.ABF Inspector Malcolm Hollis said the high-visibility Portland operation targeted port security…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.2 million tons in October, a decrease of 3.8 percent compared to 2024. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 10.7 percent.Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, a 6.1 percent reduction. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased 6.8 percent to 626,805 tons.Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 22.8 million tons, a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.5 percent from last year to 18.6 million tons…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.2 million tons in October, a decrease of 3.8 percent compared to 2024. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 10.7 percent.Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, a 6.1 percent reduction. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased 6.8 percent to 626,805 tons.Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 22.8 million tons, a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.5 percent from last year to 18.6 million tons; while shipments from Ontario quarries total 4.2 million tons, a decrease of 10 percent. GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: OCTOBER 2020-2025 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS) 202020212022202320242025Average2020-2024U.S.

Steelpaint GmbH has reported strong growth in orders for corrosion protection coatings on Germany’s inland waterways, with a succession of new contracts awarded by local authorities and hydraulic engineering contractors throughout 2025.Among the raft of new projects is the work WSA Main is carrying out on the Main River at Viereth-Trunstadt. The Main is a major tributary of the Rhine forming one of Europe’s most important inland transport routes between the North Sea and the Black…

Towage company SAAM posted net income of US$64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, 48% more than the same period last year.EBITDA reached $158 million (+15%) and revenue totaled $463 million (+8%).The third quarter figures were particularly positive compared to the previous year, with profit of $24 million (+97%), revenue of $161 million (+12%) and EBITDA of $58 million (+23%)."We had record earnings this quarter, thanks to increased activity and a better mix of services, combined with greater operational efficiencies in our two business areas: towage and air logistics.

CMA CGM has reversed a decision to suspend cargo shipments to Mali over safety concerns and a fuel shortage, the French group said on Thursday following a meeting with the authorities.In early September, al Qaeda-linked militant group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) announced a blockade on fuel imports to the landlocked West African country. The group has since attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to enter the country or reach the capital, Bamako."Overland transport has been heavily impacted in terms of both transit times and costs…

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (Nasdaq: GLDD), the largest U.S. dredging contractor, reported third-quarter 2025 earnings that topped profit estimates but came in just shy of revenue expectations, reflecting steady operations amid a cooling federal project environment and a shrinking backlog.The company reported revenue of $195.2 million, a modest 2% increase from last year’s $191.2 million but below analyst estimates of around $200 million. Net income rose to $17.7 million…

U.S. ocean shipping company Matson MATX.N has paid $6.4 million in port fees to China since they were implemented on October 14, CEO Matt Cox said on Tuesday.President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping last week agreed to put those tit-for-tat levies on pause for 12 months, starting on November 10. Media outlets in China had reported that Hawaii-based Matson, one of a handful of global shipping firms with U.S.-built and -flagged vessels, was the first to pay the fees in China.Matson expects the U.S.

The Great Lakes Towing Company and Great Lakes Shipyard have promoted Gregg Thauvette and Thomas Rigolo, two long-time leaders whose commitment and expertise have been key to the companies’ continued success.Gregg Thauvette has been promoted to Executive Vice President to President of The Great Lakes Towing Company, where he will continue to oversee all harbor towing and fleet operations across more than 40 U.S. ports throughout the Great Lakes.With decades of maritime experience, Thauvette has been a driving force behind the Towing Company’s continued success and growth.

James Fisher and Sons has established a new operational base in Uruguay. A key growth region for the business, the new base expands James Fisher’s ship-to-ship (STS) services in South America to provide a strategic hub for clients requiring rapid mobilization and support across South America’s energy trade routes.The base was inaugurated with a successful offshore operation, safely transferring one million barrels of crude oil between two tankers. The operation mobilized James Fisher’s specialist equipment…

Stena Line strengthened its position in the Baltic Sea by acquiring NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and taking over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland.“It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umeå and Vaasa,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.The only existing ferry connection between Umeå and Vaasa is jointly owned by the two cities through the 50/50-owned company Kvarken Link…

Washington State Ferries reported that its 17-vessel service was dinged by the removal of the ferry Wenatchee, which has been taken out of service due to a mechanical issue involving one of its electrical subsystems discovered last week.According to WSF, the vessel’s engine crew and maintenance teams are working to remove and replace the damaged equipment, which remains under warranty. The Wenatchee is expected to return to service on the Seattle–Bainbridge route soon.WSF also…

There hasn’t been an invasives species introduced to the Great Lakes from ballast water since 2006. So, what’s the problem now?As far as Transport Canada is concerned: “Scientific sampling to date consistently shows that ballast water management systems (BWMS) used in the Great Lakes reduce organism densities in ballast water discharges by over 99%, consistent with global evidence. As crews gain experience in operating these systems, performance continues to improve, contributing to the ongoing protection of Canada’s waters from invasive species.”  However…

Concordia Damen has received a new contract from Reederei Deymann, one of Germany’s largest inland shipping companies, for the extensive refit of a dry cargo vessel Hirschhorn. The vessel recently arrived at the Concordia Damen yard in Werkendam, where the transformation project has now started. The refit involves the complete renewal of the aft ship. Originally equipped with a single engine, single propeller shaft and an outdated living and wheelhouse arrangement, the vessel will undergo a transformation at Concordia Damen’s yard in Werkendam.

A Ukrainian drone attack struck one of Russia's main Black Sea oil ports on Sunday, causing a fire and damaging at least one ship, as Kyiv tries to undermine Russia's war effort by targeting its energy infrastructure.Ukraine has for several months been striking Russian oil refineries, depots and pipelines in a bid to undermine the Russian economy.Footage on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram news channels appeared to show a terminal and one tanker ablaze at night. Reuters was not…

Port Houston crossed the three million TEU mark in September, reaching 3,270,595 TEUs year-to-date, the fastest pace in Port Houston’s history. Total container volumes are up 5% year-to-date compared to last year.“Three million TEUs and counting; this is the earliest we’ve ever reached that mark,” said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston.For the month of September, Port Houston handled 337,659 TEUs, a 2% increase from the same month in 2024. Loaded exports continued to rise, up 13% for the month and 7% year-to-date, driven by Houston’s strong resin and manufactured goods.

Unifeeder, a DP World company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to collaborate on developing and scaling commercially sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services across India.The MoU established a framework for joint action to design and finance coastal shipping corridors that support India’s ambitions to decongest roads, lower logistics costs, and decarbonize transportation.

"We estimate that the dry bulk supply/demand balance will strengthen slightly in 2025 and gradually weaken in 2026 and 2027. Cargo demand growth is slowing, as coal shipments decline and iron ore shipments stagnate,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.Coal shipments are forecast to decline 4.9% between 2025 and 2027. Demand is falling as electricity generation from renewable sources continues to expand, particularly in China, Europe and India. Furthermore…

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and the Port of Duqm Company, which oversees port management and terminal operations in Oman, signed a memorandum of understanding at Duqm Economic Forum 2025 to collaborate in the development and connectivity of the port of Duqm.NYK has positioned the Middle East as one of its key strategic regions. On April 1, 2022, NYK established its Middle East region head in Dubai to deepen its regional strategy and enable more agile business development across the area.Oman…

The American Waterways Operators, the trade association of the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry, has released a new video on the industry's contributions to U.S. national and homeland security.The two-minute video, The Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry: Supplying America, Securing America, notes that while the mariners who transport cargo and facilitate commerce on America's rivers, coasts, harbors and Great Lakes are critical to powering the economy, they also play…

Marine technology company Alfa Laval UK has enhanced its dry-docking support services for shipowners, introducing pre-docking audits and customized spare parts packages designed to reduce turnaround times and extend fleet uptime.The initiative is part of the company’s strategy to turn dry-docking, typically seen as a cost burden, into a performance opportunity through better planning and tailored maintenance support.A key feature of the new service is condition auditing carried out up to six months before dry-docking.“By auditing systems months before docking…

ABB has secured a contract to supply power distribution and propulsion systems for seven all-electric double-ended ferries being built by Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland for Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL).The 50-meter vessels, part of CMAL’s Small Vessel Replacement Program, are scheduled for delivery between late 2027 and early 2029. They will operate on nine routes across Scotland’s Clyde and Hebrides region, each carrying up to 200 passengers and 24 cars, with one vessel configured for 250 passengers and 16 cars.ABB will equip the ferries with its Compact Onboard DC Grid system…

Arguably there are no two names more closely related to Pilot Boat design and construction in the United States than Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding and Ray Hunt Designs. Together the dynamic duo has designed and built more than 80 vessels – not to mention a vibrant refurbish and repair operation – design and building for pilot organizations around the country. In a recent episode of Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, a trio of executives: Peter Duclos, President, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding…

Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen.Together with their partners in the meOHmare research project, Rolls-Royce says its engineers have thus reached an important milestone on the road to climate-neutral and environmentally friendly propulsion solutions for shipping.The joint project meOHmare is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and combines the expertise of Rolls-Royce…

The Panama Canal launched a consultation process with representatives of the maritime industry to identify potential partners interested in developing port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway.Following a process similar to that followed for the introduction of the gas pipeline project, the Panama Canal convened a group of representatives from companies with proven experience in container port operations and container shipping lines.According to institutional rules and regulations…

Raymarine, a leader in marine electronics, announced that its Pathfinder Radar System has been selected by New Orleans-based Blessey Marine to support the company’s inland tow boat and barge fleet operating across the United States.As required on new and refitted vessels, Blessey Marine’s full fleet will be outfitted with Raymarine Commercial radars and displays in the coming months. These radar systems will help the Blessey Marine fleet transport its customers’ wide array of bulk cargoes safely and efficiently throughout the navigable inland waterways of the U.S.…

American Cruise Lines has announced 10 new ships for the U.S. market beginning with American Pioneer debuting in Florida on October 31st. American Pioneer is the 2nd new Patriot Class ship the company has launched this year. All American’s new boats will continue to sail domestically, operating itineraries across the Line’s growing portfolio, including the Mississippi River, Alaska, and the East Coast. The new ships will also accelerate American’s expansion into new niche markets such as the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River, and National Parks cruises.

Siemens Gamesa has confirmed it has scrapped plans to build an offshore wind turbine nacelle factory at Denmark’s Esbjerg Port.The offshore wind turbine manufacturer confirmed it will not proceed with the development of the nacelle plant at the port of Esbjerg at this time, given the current market opportunities.“Siemens Gamesa has maintained a longstanding presence at the Port of Esbjerg, which is a strategically important location for our offshore wind operations, also in the future.“Like in any other place, we continue to evaluate potential investment opportunities; however, given the curre

Tanco Terminals is expanding its liquid barge facility at the Ports of Indiana–Jeffersonville to meet rising demand for blended fertilizers across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.The $750,000 expansion includes two new 45,000-gallon tanks designed to support regional cooperative Premier Ag, which is the customer of Tanco Terminals. The tanks will enable on-demand blending of fertilizer additives tailored to local soil conditions, a capability expected to increase throughput…

Italy's antitrust regulator said on Friday that Shipping Agencies Services (SAS), a unit of maritime group MSC, would drop its acquisition of a 49% stake in ferry operator Moby after the watchdog opened a probe into alleged restriction of competition.Moby, majority-owned by Onorato Armatori group, runs ferries linking Italy's mainland to tourist islands such as Sardinia and Corsica.The Italian authority, which opened an investigation into the acquisition last year, said the deal could have weakened competition on routes where Moby and ferry company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), controlled by SAS,

Columbia River Pilots is an association of independent pilots, a unique organization that uses a network of pilots and independent boats to manage a long stretch of river in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Capt. Jeremy Nielsen serves as President, Columbia River Pilots, and in addressing the challenges his organization faces, leading the list are the maritime megatrend that sees vessel size outpacing infrastructure along the river, from bridge clearance to dockage; as well as the maritime industry's legislated drive for decarbonization…

The backers of a proposed 800-mile (1,287 km) gas pipeline in Alaska championed by U.S. President Donald Trump expect to complete a key engineering and cost study by the end of this year, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Monday.The ambitious proposal to transport gas from Alaska's far north to the Gulf of Alaska has been talked about for decades but has received new impetus under Trump, who has sought to boost U.S. development of fossil fuels.The pipeline is a joint venture between U.S.

The Houston Ship Channel is one of the nation’s busiest and most vibrant shipping lanes, a key corridor for energy and chemicals. Keeping operations running smoothly involves the Houston Pilots, facilitating more than 20,000 vessel assists each year. Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, Houston Pilots, discusses the organization in the round, explaining how the Houston operation remains one of three in the country that still utilizes station boat. With Maritime Reporter TV he breaks down the idiosyncrasies of the operations…

In a year marked by uncertainty, the dredging industry remains resilient, adapting to evolving challenges with steady progress.As we look toward 2026, the outlook for dredging services and equipment remains strong, with the market projected to rise from $8.9 billion to $9.3 billion—a 4.5% year-over-year improvement.Yet, as demand grows and expectations shift, industry operators must ask a more nuanced question: should they invest in brand-new equipment or retrofit existing assets?This decision is rarely straightforward; rather, it’s shaped by a multitude of practical considerations.

China's sanctions on U.S.-linked units of shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean threaten to impact ambitious plans for shipbuilding cooperation between Seoul and Washington by disrupting supplies of Chinese equipment and materials, officials in Seoul said on Friday.Beijing announced the sanctions on Tuesday as the U.S. and China began charging additional port fees on each other's vessels, in the latest exchange in a protracted trade war ahead of a planned meeting of the two countries' leaders.South…